University Hospital Coventry celebrates 20 years of caring for our communities

Celebrations are under way to mark 20 years since University Hospital Coventry opened its doors, with staff sharing memories, photographs and stories from the past two decades.

Since welcoming its first patients, the hospital has been the setting for countless moments that have shaped lives: babies born, loved ones cared for, careers launched, breakthroughs made and communities brought together.

The milestone, which will be formally marked on Thursday 30^th July, is being recognised through a series of displays, reunions and activities.

A '20 Years in Bloom' flower installation, kindly sponsored by Warwick Garden Centre, helped plant the seeds for the festivities.

Further highlights include a wall of memories and staff photographs created by the Critical Care team, celebrating everyone who has been a part of the department. Ward 14 brought colleagues past and present together for a reunion, while the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) created its own celebratory display.

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “This anniversary is not just about a building; it is about the people who have cared, worked, trained, volunteered, visited and supported us over two decades. It is also about the innovations and partnerships that have helped us continue to improve care for our patients and communities.

“We would love to hear from anyone with memories or photographs that help to tell the story of University Hospital Coventry. Together, they will help us celebrate the connections, achievements and human stories that make this hospital so special.”

The hospital opened in 2006 and is one of Europe’s most modern healthcare facilities, with more than 900 beds, 26 operating theatres and specialist services including cardiology, neurosurgery, stroke, joint replacements, IVF, maternal health, diabetes and kidney transplants. UHCW is also a major trauma and cancer centre.

One of the hospital’s most iconic moments came in December 2020, when it was the site of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccination outside clinical trials.

For staff who were there in the early days, the move to the new hospital remains a memorable moment - including Hannah Stroude, now Deputy Associate Director of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who was then an Occupational Therapist in the Surgery team.

“I joined in April and recall seeing the plans,” said Hannah. “I remember coming over for a tour to see where we were going to be based and finding out where things would be going.

“Everyone was really excited because it was new and fresh. Getting orientated was difficult, we couldn’t help direct patients as easily because we were getting used to it ourselves! But the job was the same and you soon found a new normal.”

The Trust is interested in photographs and stories showing the people and moments behind the hospital’s history. To contribute, send memories and photographs to communications@uhcw.nhs.uk but please include your name, contact details, when the photograph or memory is from and a short description of the story behind it.

People submitting photographs should ensure, where possible, they have permission from anyone clearly pictured and understand that images may be used by UHCW NHS Trust as part of the anniversary celebrations.